Neck shot ethics

[Kroach]

I usually always bow hunt and last year was the first year I shot a deer with a firearm. I drew a state park hunt which is firearms only. I'm shooting a .44mag and had a prefect neck shot opportunity but never more than that. I opted not taking the shot. After talking to some people who've hunted a lot longer than I have, they say it's an ethical shot. I'm so used to bow hunting not sure if I should of taken that shot? Thoughts?

 

[rclouse79]

I have only taken one on a bull elk with a .270. He dropped like a sack of rocks.

 

[Kroach]

It was a 40 yard shot. Shooting Hornady 240gr xtp's. The two deer I shot last year were both heart shots and they drop within 15 yards. I believe it would of killed the deer quickly but for some reason seems taboo to me.

 

[hunthikecamp]

I've heard similar that it's a clean shot and will drop them right away, but for me it always comes down to my comfort level of range and the shot I can for sure make. I think I'd only take it if I had a solid rest within 100 and couldnt see vitals/knew i wouldn't, but also there's so much good meat there. With full visibility if I can hit neck I can damn sure hit good in vitals and save some meat.

 

[Ucsdryder]

I’ve seen a neck shot result in a rodeo and I’ve seen neck shots drop them. A neck shot close to the base of the head is a smaller target but more lethal. Closer to the shoulder there’s a lot of muscle and tissue that doesn’t guarantee a quick kill. Close range put one at the base of the head/neck, if you miss a little one way or the other it’s a kill shot. High or low it’s most likely a miss.

 

[180ls1]

0/1 here, unfortunately. I always heard guys swear by them but I had a poor experience.

It's probably best with fast/splashy bullets at closer range but that is an ASSumption.

 

[TxLite]

There’s a much bigger margin of error when aiming for vitals. A well executed neck shot is extremely effective though. I think it depends on the shooter’s abilities and what your setup allows for.

I pretty much always opt for vitals just to hedge my bets in case something goes wrong on placement.

 

[hunthikecamp]

I’ve seen a neck shot result in a rodeo and I’ve seen neck shots drop them. A neck shot close to the base of the head is a smaller target but more lethal. Closer to the shoulder there’s a lot of muscle and tissue that doesn’t guarantee a quick kill. Close range put one at the base of the head/neck, if you miss a little one way or the other it’s a kill shot. High or low it’s most likely a miss.

Yeah the only data point I can add here is in between a rodeo and a solid drop. A cow I shot in 2022 I was above it shooting pretty steep downhill but only maybe 100 yds linear distance. Aimed vitals but slightly high because of the angle, come to find out I either directly or nearly directly spined her. She dropped where she stood but didn't die until we found her and had to follow up from point blank. Made me sick to the stomach to think about, still does. My guess is the spinal just paralyzed her, maybe different if you hit spine in the neck, closer to the brain/base of the skull. But that also sways my opinion on neck shots.

 

[Skerhunter]

I have shot dozens of white tail with a neck shot simply because it guaranteed they would drop where they stood. Never needed a follow up. Good rest, calm animals and 100% confidence I will take it every time if needed.

 

[AZ_Hunter]

Have you studied anatomy diagrams? If yes and you trust your shooting skills, range, position, etc… then yes.

But since you didn’t feel comfortable, then no.

 

[diamond10x]

I grew up shooting WT's in the neck. Have killed elk and MD in the neck as well. Depends on the situation, but as long as the shot can confidently be made with a very high certainty, about the best shot there is as far as DRT.

.222/.223 and .243 have dealt an incredible amount of death long before the rokslide clique that hides behind anonymity and voice changers were shooting small calibers.

 

[GSPHUNTER]

Be certain of your skill set. Are you a ten ring shooter at 100+ yards. I know a guy who only shoots neck shots. Me not so much.

 

[Steve300xcw]

Head on or facing away from me? I'll take that shot every time. I'm a bit more cautious with that shot from the side, though I will and have taken it.

You say 44 mag. That a pistol or rifle? 40yard neck shot with a handgun would be a no-go for me, I'm not that good with a pistol.

 

[Ross]

Frontal with my magnum is my bread and butter on bull elk. This yr 12 yds closest 5 yds. Nothing like bugling elk, magnum in hand and spitting distances.

 

[Kroach]

Rifle. I shoot a lot more archery than I do firearms but am comfortable with that rifle to 75 yards but typically practice at 100. I have butchered several deer and have studied the anatomy of deer also. Initially he was staring at me but started to relax and browse. He's body was covered but had a clear shot both head on and side shot of his neck.
Part of the reason I didn't shoot is with it being a state park all deer have to get checked in and DNR take a CWD sample. I didn't know if that shot would be frowned upon during check in process.

 

[TSAMP]

Im very similar to the OP, archery guy who has a 44 mag lever gun. I attempted a neck shot with a quartered to me deer feeding maybe 40 yards i was on the ground. I went in the neck and blew out the offside shoulder. It ran 40 yards with the single front leg. I almost shot again, in hindsight I wish I did. It ran downhill and I thought crashed. I went over after 30 min and it was heading uphill away from me. Never recovered it.


Ive since killed 1 deer with it and it was a 90 yard poke, dropped in its tracks. I've come to treat it like a loud bow.

 

[Jimmy]

I did it once, only deer of mine that just crumpled. I haven't tried it since though. Just because it's a smaller area.

 

[Pony Soldier]

Frontal is easy and productive. Side shots on elk especially get riskier the farther you get from the head. Within 6 " below the head you will hit bone. Below that you increase the chance of hair or meat for impact point and the chase is on.

 

[Rich M]

Take only the shots that are comfortable to you. Know that anatomy and target zones.

No issues w folks making good shots.

If yer a guy who cant hit exactly where you are aiming, then don’t shoot. If you havent practiced at that range and not sure exactly where you’ll hit, dont shoot.

Neck shots are fine. It is the shooter not the shot.

 

[wyosam]

I don’t care for the neck broadside, though I’ve used it. Head on? I like it better than frontal chest, and it’s very effective. Not something I’ve ever had a use for at much distance, generally close in the timber. Pretty common shot opportunity when moving slow through timber when elk are holed up. You’re busted, but you’ve often got a minute while they size you up.


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